Working with WEB 2.0

Web 2.0 is a second generation in the development of the World Wide Web. It is the current state of online technology, which is characterized by greater interactivity and collaboration among its users. 

One of the most significant differences between Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 is that people not only can find things on the web but also make their own contributions by uploading, sharing and editing their own and other people’s files. The social nature of this World Wide Web is another major difference between the Web 2.0 and Web 1.0  since the former combines concepts, trends and technologies that focus on user collaboration, sharing of user-generated content and social networking. Examples of Web 2.0 include social networking sites, blogs, wikis, web applications, and video sharing sites.

As regards its benefits for education, we could mention the fact that since students are highly familiarized with internet connections this kind of online technology can be used to enhance individual motivation, improve learner participation and foster social and learning skills. Besides, learning 2.0 enables students to broaden their horizons and collaborate across borders, language barriers, and institutional walls.

Here are some practical ideas to use Web 2.0 tools in the classroom:

http://lyricstraining.com/ is a free and interesting website for students to practise their listening skills while having fun. It takes the form of a game in which students can choose their level of proficiency to start playing. As they listen to any song they want, they fill in the gaps. The faster they do it, the more points they get. We could use this site as a presentation or practice stage of the lesson. It is a useful opportunity for them to take advantage of their laptops at school replacing the traditional paper and pen. Besides, we consider that it would be more motivating and engaging due to the fact that they will feel they are not only learning but also playing.

Another attractive website is http://storybird.com/ . Here, students can create short, art-inspired stories to read, share and print with this flash-based resource. First of all, they need to log in to start working. They have a wide range of different pictures they can choose to write their own stories. Once they have chosen them, they can start writing poems, short stories or longer books related to whatever they like or the task already assigned by the teacher. After they finish writing, they can publish and share what they have done. Peers and everyone have the possibility to comment on their posts. There are useful ways to work with this website in the classroom. One idea we like is to read students a story and after that they will be assigned to change the end of the story and create a different one using this website. Then, they will publish their endings and their peers will be asked to comment on them.

To sum up, we can say that integrating technology into the classroom, such as the use of websites, will help students to make learning more memorable and significant and above all enjoyable.

Retrieved from  www.whatis.techtarget.com